Gov. announces statewide bell ringing

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has invited schools, churches and individuals across the state to participate in a bell ringing in honor of West Virginia’s 150th birthday.

The statewide bell ringing will take place at 1:50 p.m. Thursday, coinciding with a bell ringing at the state Capitol during the Sesquicentennial Ceremony.

“This bell ringing provides our citizens with an opportunity to collectively celebrate and reflect on West Virginia’s 150th birthday,” Tomblin said. “Although we may be located in different regions of the state, this will join all of us together as we commemorate the state’s birthday and officially kick off this historic celebration.”

The Sesquicentennial Ceremony will take place on the south steps of the Capitol. The ceremony will include the dedication of a new United States Postal Service stamp commemorating West Virginia’s 150th birthday.

U.S. Sens. Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin, Thomas J. Marshall of United States Postal Service and members of the West Virginia Sesquicentennial Commission will join the governor for this tribute to West Virginia. Immediately following the ceremony, the governor will cut the birthday cake in the Great Hall of the Culture Center.

Those interested in participating in the bell ringing are asked to begin ringing their bells at 1:50 p.m. Thursday. Bells should be rung 35 times to signify West Virginia’s status as the nation’s 35th state.

More information about state birthday celebrations is available at www.wv150.com.